You don’t know Jack!

I’m so sick of corporate radio. I feel like a trapped rodent careening down the stressed out freeways of my life while I punch buttons frantically searching for some escape.

Yes, I listen to CPR and KGNU, especially when BBC News or Free Speech Radio News is on. I like WINGS, too.

None of that represents an escape, however.

I know that KGNU offers very interesting music. If I took the time to listen I could learn a lot.

I’m not proud to admit it but I really like pop music. To my credit, I like Hindi Pop, Latin Pop even Arab Pop music as much as I’ve ever enjoyed American Pop.

I want to tap my toes, I want to sing along, I want to loose track of my environment just enough to realize I’m oops! over the speed limit. Is that so wrong?

No. what’s wrong, as far as I’m concerned is the insane repetition. There are moments when I can punch 3 radio buttons and hear the same song on three different stations. That’s wrong. Everyone seems to be dealing from the same deck. Yeah, okay, different formats, same lack of depth and creativity. Lack of real personality.

I’m tired of knowing that my favorite jocks are broadcasting from the coast and in all my years of shuffling stations I’ve never heard a woman broadcaster that didn’t make me cringe.

I want lots more music that easily moves me, and I want a sense of connection while I listen.

It got worse when I went south for a couple weeks. A brand new city, something completely different from home....until you turn on the radio. Then America is the same all over. I was unnerved.

But maybe that’s why Jack! is so popular.

I remember when I first heard Jack. He gave me the creeps right away, Sure he played all the songs I liked and said all the right things. “Locally programmed and locally owned.” How did he know I craved to support the home team? His careless defiant attitude was attractive though I hated to admit it. “Playing what we want!” he growled. I hated him, but I listed.

Then I left town again.

Imagine my surprise to find him muttering the same things into the ears of another city! How could he?!!

Ah the cheating son of a slick format. I knew it was too good to be true. As soon as I got back to my hotel room I hit the ‘net and found Jack! all over the place.

I still don’t understand what loophole he’s speaking through when he growls: “locally owned and locally programmed” but Jack is a radio bigamist.

It’s only my fault that I was so vulnerable to his lies, but can toe tapping, steering wheel slapping, off key singing desire be so wrong?

We’re only vulnerable when we don’t know Jack.